THE BASSES: FRES H w ATER AND MARINE 



because the eggs of that fish furnish one of its 

 favorite foods ; and the river herring, which accom- 

 panies the shad, also contributes greatly to the 

 diet of the bass. Perhaps the habit of ascending 

 streams was acquired through this marked love for 

 shad eggs and the tender flesh of the alewife. 



Feeding. The bass is carnivorous and preda- 

 ceous and consumes vast numbers of little fishes in 

 the streams, particularly herring and shad. The 

 shallow bays along the coast furnish it with killi- 

 fish, anchovies, silversides, lant, and many other 

 small fishes, as well as worms, shrimp, crabs, squid, 

 clams, scallops, mussels, and other marine inverte- 

 brates. Its movements while feeding are greatly 

 influenced by the tides. 



Spawning. The greatest runs of the fish take 

 place in the spring, when pressing toward the 

 spawning-grounds, or very late in the fall, at 

 which time great numbers are often obtained. The 

 largest fish frequent the vicinity of rocks and " nig- 

 ger-heads " along the shores of our bays and the 

 coast indentations between the shores and the out- 

 lying reefs. The estuaries and tideways harbor 

 smaller bass, while in the shallowest waters are 

 found the smallest of the race. 



The uncertainty of the movements of this fish 

 is proverbial. It is hard to find at certain times, 

 and still more difficult to bring to the hook. It is 

 shy and extremely wise on occasion, so that no 



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